Happy Halloween...

Sort of. Halloween was definitely not the same as it is back home. I REALLY missed our tradition of chili & cornbread followed by trick-or-treating with friends and family in a neighborhood packed with kids. It is not a recognized 'holiday' in Singapore, so a few of us expat families swapped addresses and made our way to each others condos for some candy. As we were out we saw a lot of other dressed up cuties doing the same thing. You just have to know what condos are handing out candy. Certainly a different experience than what we're used to, but the boys managed to have fun.

Ella the cat, Drew the basketball player & Luke the football player

Finding other trick-or-treaters!

A little different trick-or-treating in high rises :)

Found their buddies - Emmet & Joe

Now that's JOY

I will admit - I love that they got a small amount of candy. Mean mom, I know.

Happy Halloween to our friends & family! 

JOY

My friend, Jill, used that word on our vacation when talking about the looks on the kids' faces as they chased each other around the beach. I witnessed it a lot today as I watched our family playing in the pool. The look of pure joy on Drew's face as he jumped into Daddy's arms, the laughter that came from him as we spun him around in the water, the excitement all over Luke's face as he touched the bottom of the pool with his hand...I could go on and on. I love those moments and I love them even more when I'm present enough to enjoy them. I will admit, there are many days where I'm too caught up in my own stress, work demands, homesickness, etc. that I don't stop long enough to see these little moments of joy. Today I did and I am so, so glad I did.

This week off has been lovely. Bali was beautiful and more than the scenery, I left remembering the people. They seem to have so little, yet their faces say they have so much. Being that most of them are Hindu, it's no wonder why they live their lives with such a calming, peaceful presence. Everywhere we went in Bali we saw 'offerings' being left outside huts, on the beach, outside shops, etc. Our driver explained that flowers are put into the offerings because they have color, which symbolizes feelings. When they 'offer' their feelings, they leave them behind, allowing themselves true peace. A peaceful day or night's sleep. If you ever spend time around Balinese people, you will know exactly what I mean. They are some of the kindest, most peaceful and gentle people I've ever met. Even with their crazy driving! Really, never once did I see anger, a middle finger, or anything like that. And they honk their horns constantly, but not in the way we're used to. They do it to kindly let other drivers know they're close. Geez. Kindness everywhere.

Thank you to all that is Bali. The rice paddies, the cultural experience, the beaches, the beauty, and of course, the people. What a wonderful week....it was just what we needed!

Bali Part 2

We had intended to spend the entire week in the villa. However, we were still wanting to see the touristy Bali that everyone talks about. We hadn't seen that yet in the places/areas we had been. Majestic beaches, lounge chairs overlooking the ocean, super nice hotels with big pools and swim up bars...you get the point. We made reservations at the Marriott in Nusa Dua - an area of Bali known well by tourists. It's miles of resorts along the beach. Aside from the resort, there were a lot of great little shops and restaurants close by. We enjoyed our few days there - swimming, eating, shopping and playing in the sand/ocean. A perfect way to end our vacation.

Rough life. We are happy to say that we didn't think about work ONCE! 

The kids loved these guys at our hotel. On our final evening, Drew and Luke were sitting in their laps playing the Bamboo. So cool! 

A local artist teaching Luke how to play the instruments in his shop. 

We hope to buy the boys one of these dorky shirts in every place we visit. Singapore and Bali are purchased...next up, Bangkok and Phuket! :) 

I wasn't feeling well Thursday night so we spent the evening hanging out in our hotel room, watching cartoons and ordering room service. :)

Bali was exactly what our family needed! The boys are turning into best buddies and are having so much fun experiencing this wild ride together. Monday is back to reality. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Wednesday is Halloween. In my mind, it's still August. I guess that's what happens when it's sunny and warm every single day.

Can't wait to have Dick & Vicki here in two short weeks! Sending love to everyone at home... xoxo

Bali Part 1

What a perfect vacation! Bali is beautiful, the people are kind and the scenery is so peaceful and calming. Until you got into a car. Driving there is like something I have never experienced before. I thought Mexico was scary. Motorbikes are everywhere, kids ride on them without helmets and sometimes you'd even seen a family of 4 on one bike. Cars and motorbikes weave in and out. When the 2 lanes are backed up, you can turn them into 4 lanes by choice. But amazingly enough...it works for them. "It's not wrong, it's different." And so it goes....

We spent the first part of our vacation at a villa in the middle of rice paddies. The pictures speak for themselves. Perfection. So different than what we're used to in Singapore with the high rises and very little natural land. Very third world out in that part of Bali. Showers in canals for the locals, men and women with heavy baskets on their heads to transport goods, wild rooster, cows and other animals, very few homes. Mostly huts, tree houses or shacks. Interesting and eye opening.

Ketut was the helper that made breakfast and lunches for us. She lives down the street but came each day for 8 hours to cook and clean. The coffee and fruit in Bali was so, so good.

We also enjoyed massages, facials, pedicures, etc. one morning. I had a massage and pedicure and Adam had foot reflexology. All of that cost an entire $29. I could get used to that! What a treat to have all of that done in such a peaceful setting. 

The first day we spent at the beach down the street (a local black sand beach) and out by the pool. The second day we made our way to Ubud to see the town and visit the Monkey Forest. The third day was the Water Park and dinner/swimming at a near by hotel on the beach. 

 

 

Monkeys, elephants, and tigers OH MY!

The Singapore Zoo in a word: AMAZING! I can hardly wait to take the boys back to see that place. We braved the day (Tuesday) with 115 third graders and 20 adults. I was the only one smart enough to have enough parents go so that I could roam freely in between groups. Translate: spent most of the day taking it all in in complete peace and quiet. Suckers.

Look above the sign. The little white faced monkeys were having a feast right there above my head. No gates, fences, nothing. Wow. 

This one is a bit harder to see...but if you look in the center of the tree branches, you can see two baby orangutans all twisted up. The monkeys have a lot of free reign around the zoo. The only ones I remember truly being fenced in were the baboons. 

And then there's this little monkey. Too cute not to include...he tried to pour himself a bowl of cereal. I'm thinking about a fence for this guy.

It may be ironic that I'm impressed by the free moving monkeys considering the monkey forest we'll be visiting in Bali. I have a feeling those monkeys might be WAY more personal though. We leave for Bali at 4:30 tomorrow. Can't wait. The flu hit Adam on Wednesday night, the boys are still hacking up a lung with their coughing, and I have body aches that I'm trying to ignore. At least Adam went to the doctor last night and in true Asian medical care fashion, we have enough meds to start a pharmacy. Amen. 

I'm thinking this place will be just the thing we need to recharge ourselves. Looking forward to time away - together & away from work - our batteries are running low these days. Cheers to Fall Break! 

Much love to family & friends back home. You will be in my mind as I stir my drink with the umbrella.  xoxox